Kirshe captain as Eagles set sail for Dubai and Cape Town

Kristie Kirshe has been named captain of the USA Women’s Eagles Sevens captain ahead of the new HSBC SVNS season.

The 31-year-old veteran is the most experienced player in Emilie Bydwell’s squad with 30 tournament appearances.

Fellow Olympic bronze medallists Spiff Sedrick, Sarah Levy and Ariana Ramsey have also been included in the 13-player squad that will begin their season in Dubai and Cape Town across the next fortnight.

Bydwell selected her squad after intensive combines held at the team’s Chula Vista base over July and November.

There are three debutants in Bydwell’s squad. Erica Coulibaly is fresh-faced from representing the Eagles at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, while Nalu Liufau and Tahna Wilfley recently represented the USA at the Junior Pan Am Games.

Kaylen Thomas will make her return from injury and Ashley Cowdrey is back after making her international debut last season.

“We are really excited to get this season underway,” Bydwell said. “The offseason has been a transformational period for our program— sharpening how we think about and play the game in the ways that maximise the strengths of our group and create long term competitive advantages.

“Last season was about form and foundation; this season is about raising the frame of our program, our style of play, and our culture as we move through the next three seasons toward Los Angeles.

“We know we are still early in our journey, but we’re eager to step onto the world stage and test how dynamic, adaptive, and courageous we can be within our new processes.”

Earlier in the week it was also confirmed that New York will host a leg of the World Series for the first time next March.

Getting to play on home soil is a major motivation for each player in the squad, never mind the likes of Massachusetts-born Kirshe, who could gain the rare opportunity to play in front of numerous family and friends.

“Growing up on the east coast, it’s so exciting to have a tournament so close,” she said. “My family, my extended family, high school friends, my college friends, so many people were excited about it.

“I think it’s cool to represent that part of the country. It will be really exciting to play a tournament on the east coast.”

USA Women’s Sevens squad for Dubai and Cape Town

1 Ariana Ramsey
26 Ashley Cowdrey
99 Autumn Czaplicki
2 Erica Coulibaly
19 Kaylen Thomas
12 Kristi Kirshe (c)
33 Nalu Liufau
16 Rachel Strasdas
13 Sarah Levy
28 Sariah Ibarra
8 Spiff Sedrick
24 Su Adegoke
5 Tahna Wilfley
29 Hann Humphreys (travelling reserve)